Merchandise support device



MMM@ f, l? A, M mm Y lvb@ MERCHANDISE SUPPORT DEVICE Filed Aug. 30, 1965 y far/f MW United States Patent O 3,487,950 MERCHANDISE SUPPORT DEVICE Abraham Alpert, 19941 Ardmore Ave., Detroit, Mich. 48235 Filed Aug. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 483,613 The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Jan. 24, 1982, has been disclaimed Int. Cl. A47f 3/14, 5/00, 5/10 U.S. Cl. 211-133 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in a merchandise support device and more particularly to a merchandise support structure which has a plurality of support members mounted in alignment on a plurality of vertical members which are positioned in substantially parallel relationship.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a merchandise support device which can be shipped in a relatively small box and assembled on the site in which it is to be used.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a merchandise support device which is not only durable in construction, but one of substantially less cost than display devices which are now available.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of a merchandise support device wherein all of the merchandise supported thereby will be partially visible.

Yet still another object of the invention is the provision of a merchandise display device wherein two similar units can be joined together so as to render the merchandise supported thereby visible from two sides.

Another object is the provision of a merchandise support device which can be used on a counter or equipped with legs so that it will become an independent, freestanding structure.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a merchandise display device which is adjustable in both the horizontal, as well as vertical direction.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a merchandise support device wherein the vertical members are removable, adjustable and capable of inverting without loss of utility.

The foregoing and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a merchandise support device having a plurality of horizontal members positioned on a frame in substantially parallel relationship; a plurality of vertical members which have secured thereto a plurality of merchandise support members in angular spaced relationship, the lowermost end of each of said merchandise support members having an upturned flange thereon; a plurality of aligned openings in each of said horizontal members which are disposed vertically; said vertical members and said merchandise support members forming a unitary assembly wherein the upper ends of said assembly engage two of the openings in said horizontal members, while the two lower ends engage two openings in two other horizontal members; discrete positioning of several assemblies forming an adjustable merchandise support device for the display of boxed or palletized material, with the material being partially visible.

lCC

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a free-standing merchandise support device which embodies the present invention with the vertical members being horizontally adjustable.

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the merchandise support device shown in FIGURE 1, with a merchandise container supported thereby shown in phantom.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the unitary merchandise support member removed from the structure.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIGURE 3, with the merchandise support members secured to both sides of said structure.

FIGURE 5 is a modiiied merchandise support member which is vertically adjustable.

FIGURE 6 is a palletized box which is used in connection with the present invention.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the box shown in FIGURE 6 before it is formed for usage.

AFIGURE 8 is a pallet board used in connection with the present invention for the support of merchandise.

FIGURE 9 is a modiiied form of the present invention wherein the merchandise support members are horizontal and flanged at both ends.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not Ilimited in its application to the arrangement or the details of construction of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation.

Looking now at FIGURE 1, it will be noted that this is an elevational view of a merchandise support device 10 which embodies the present invention. The frame 12 is made up of two T shaped members 14. The T shaped members 14 are positioned in generally parallel relationship with a plurality of horizontal members, the upper horizontal members are identified by numbers 16 and 18, while the lower horizontal members are identified by the numbers 26 and 28 respectively. It will also be noted that both the upper and lower horizontal members are in substantially parallel relationship. Additionally the upper horizontal members 16 and 18 have a plurality of vertically disposed openings 22 and 24 therein, while the lower horizontal members have similar vertical openings 32 and 34 therein. All of the openings are in spaced relationship and alignment.

Positioned within said openings 22, 24, 32 and 34 are the ends of a vertical merchandise support assembly 40, such as shown in FIGURE 3. Two vertical members 42 and 44 have secured thereto, a number of generally flat merchandise support members identied by the number 55. The support members 55 are secured in any number of ways, such as welding. It will be readily apparent that by such construction, the vertical members will remain in substantially parallel relationship. The merchandise support members 55 have an upturned llange 57 on the lowermost end of each member for engagement with a palletized package, such as shown in FIGURE 6, or a pallet board for the support of material thereon, such as illustrated in FIGURE 8. Several merchandise support assemblies 40 are positioned between the horizontal members 16, 18, 26 and 28, with the ends 42t and 44t of the vertical members 42 and 44 entering openings 22 and 24, while the ends 42b and 44b engaging openings 32 and 34 respectively.

While it is understood that the merchandise support assembly 40 shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 have merchandise support members 55 secured to both sides of the vertical members 42 and 44 and can be used throughout the complete assembly, for reasons of economy, the rst and laslt assemblies 20 have support members 55 on one side on y.

FIGURE illustrates a modified merchandise support member 75, which is generally at and has an elongated opening 77 centrally positioned therein. Additionally, the vertical members 72 and 74 are hollow and vertical member 74 has a plurality of aligned openings therein which are located in vertical spaced relationship, Also, the right end of the central elongated opening 77 has a tab 79 which extends therefrom, for engagement with the vertical openings. Thus, each of the merchandise support members 75 is vertically adjustable and when properly positioned in alignment will form a structure similar to the structure shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The box shown in FIGURE 6 is shown in the flat in FIGURE 7. The at has roughly sections, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, and j. Section a is the side, b, the bottom, c, the side, d, the top, e, the overlap side and f, the closing side flap. Section g is the end and h is the closing end ap, while i is the end section (partial) and j is the flap. Notches N are cut between sections a and b, and b and c, and on section e, for engagement with the upturned flange 57 on the merchandise support members 55.

Another merchandise support pallet 87 is shown in FIGURE 8. Notches 88 are cut from the corners thereof, while the central portion thereof 89 has a ap 91. The forward edge of said ap 91 is serrated for engagement with a portion of the merchandise supported thereon.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9 has two vertical members 92 and 94, to which are se-v cured support members 95. Support members 95 are lo-v cated in alignment and have both ends anged for maintaining a horizontal pallet which has at least one opening therein for the support of a flanged box or the like, as shown at 99.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the present invention is simple, durable and inexpensive to nmaufacture. It can be shipped in a knock-down condition and assembled when ready to use. It is adjustable horizontally as Well as vertically and can be manufactured for counter use, or can be free-standing. Similar units can be assembled back to back or end to end for the display of merchandise, and its use Will enable the merchant to display more merchandise at a lower per unit cost, while having a visible merchandise control and inventory.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a merchandise support device, the combination 4 of, a plurality of horizontal members positioned in spaced relationship; said horizontal members positioning a plurality of round vertical members in pre-determined spaced relationship;

a plurality of aligned openings in each of said round Vertical members;

a plurality of merchandise support members, each of said support members having an elongated central opening therein;

one end of said central opening having a tab depending from the body portion thereof into said opening;

said tab engaging one of said openings in said vertical members for positioning said support member, when said support member is positioned over two vertical members.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said vertical members are hollow for weight reduction and ease of manufacture.

3. A device as in claim ,1, wherein said support members position a package formed lfrom at stock into a rectangular shape having closed sides and end, the remaining end being partially open for exposure of the merchandise contained therein, thereby forming a pallet package.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said support members position a generally rectangular pallet board having the respective corners notched, with the central portion between the notches formed into a iiap having a serrated edge for engagement with -a portion of the merchandise displayed :and secu-red thereon.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein said support members position a generally rectangular pallet board having at least one opening therein for receiving ilanged boxes therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,716,964- 6/1929- Kuck 211-135 X 2,606,298 6/1952 Jarrett 211-175 X 2,623,641 12/1952 Shield 211-175 X 3,186,363 6/1965 Moore 108-114 3,199,683 8/1965 Graswich 211-71 3,221,894 12/1965 Knuth 211-134 3,232,442 2/1966 Wilson 211-133 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,161,587 3/1959 France.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 2l1-134, 148, 176 

